Event 1: $500 Casino Employees No-Limit Hold'em
Day 2 Completed
2012 World Series of Poker
Event 1: $500 Casino Employees No-Limit Hold'em
Day: 2
Event Info
Final Results
Event Info
Level Info
2012 World Series of Poker
Buy-in
$500
Prize Pool
$329,400
Entries
732
Level
21
Blinds
12,000 / 24,000
Ante
4,000
Congratulations to Chiab Saechao, Event #1 Casino Employees No-Limit Hold’em Champion ($70, 859)!
Level 21
: 12,000/24,000, 4,000 ante
After 21 hours of grueling, crazy poker, we have our first bracelet winner of the 2012 World Series of Poker! A big congratulations goes out to Chiab “Chip” Saechao, who came into today as the chip leader, and rode that momentum to a final table victory in Event #1 Casino Employees No-Limit Hold'em. He will take home almost $71,000, and of course, the coveted gold bracelet, for his efforts.
732 entrants ponied up the $500 entry fee for the opening event of the series, and 81 of those players walked away with money in their pockets. 46 of those players came back today, including WSOP Executive Director Ty Stewart. Stewart played very well but, ultimately bowed out in 19th place.
Despite entering today as the chip leader, Saechao remained fairly quiet for the first half of the day. He entered the final table 8th in chips, and seemed very content with sitting back and letting the other players take each other out. With five players left, Saechao won back-to-back coin flips, including a roller coaster hand against Patricia Baker, the eventual runner up. Action began with Patricia Baker opening under-the-gun for 32,000. Action folded around to Saechao in the small blind who immediately pushed his entire stack in for about 260,000 more. Ray Pulford folded from the big and Baker fell into the tank. She eventually slid a calling stack into the middle.
Baker: 
Saechao: 
"It's a race!" Saechao shouted.
The flop came 
and a clearly dejected Saechao groaned and shouted, "Ten!"
Turn: 
Ask and you shall receive.
A 
fell on the river, giving Baker trips, but improving Saechao to a full-house as he doubled.
From there, Saechao never looked back, notching three of the final four eliminations, on his way to victory! Once again, a big congratulations go out to Chiab Saechao, our first bracelet winner of the summer!
| Place | Player | Prize |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chiab Saechao | $70,859 |
| 2 | Patricia Baker | $43,754 |
| 3 | James Routos | $28,206 |
| 4 | Ray Pulford | $20,663 |
| 5 | Nicolas Vaca-Rondon | $15,359 |
| 6 | Jay Pinkussohn | $11,571 |
| 7 | Steven Phan | $8,824 |
| 8 | Matthew Wilmot | $6,808 |
| 9 | Georgi Ivanov | $5,309 |
Winner Photos
Patricia Baker Eliminated in 2nd Place ($43,754)
In what would be the final hand of Event #1, Chiab Saechao completed from the button and Patricia checked her option.
The flop came 
and Baker check-called a 35,000 bet from Saechao.
Before the turn came, Baker announced a dark check. A 
landed and Saechao checked behind.
The river came the 
and Baker announced all in for her last 200,000. Saechao called immediately but was reluctant to turn his hand over. Baker obliged and said, "Straight," as she flipped over 
. Saechao triumphantly slammed down the 
for a rivered flush and let out a heart-felt "Woooo!!" upon realizing his victory.
Baker will take home $43,754 for her efforts.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
2,200,000 | 600,000 |
|
Busted |
Saechao Nearing Victory
Chaib Saechao called from the small blind, and Patricia Baker checked her option. The flop came out 
, and Baker fired out a big bet of 100,000. Saechao went into the tank for about 20 seconds, before announcing all in. Baker had less then 400,000 behind, but she was reluctant to call off the rest of it. After about 30 seconds, she said "I should have raised preflop" and folded her hand. This dropped her down to 360,000, while Saechao now has almost 2 million.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
1,840,000 | 240,000 |
|
|
360,000 | -240,000 |
Heads Up!
We are finally down to our final two players. Stay tuned as Chiab Saechao and Patricia Baker duke it out for the right to be called WSOP champion.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
1,600,000 | |
|
|
600,000 | -20,000 |
James Routos Eliminated in 3rd Place ($28,206)
Action began with Chiab Saechao, who opened for 60,000 from the button. Patricia Baker folded from the small blind and James Routos announced he was all in from the big for his last 300,000. Saechao quickly called and hands were revealed.
Routos:
Saechao: 
The board ran out 
, failing to improve Routos' hand and sending him to the rail in 3rd place.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
1,600,000 | 1,449,400 |
|
Busted |
Baker Doubles Up Through Routos
At this point, I'm pretty sure that James Routos and Chiab Saechao don't have a chance to win this tournament. Routos came in for a raise to 55,000 on the button, and Patricia Baker came along in the big blind. The flop came down 
, and Baker thought for about 15 seconds before announcing a bet of 238,000, which was also all of her chips. Routos wasted little time in calling, and Baker knew that she had been caught.
Baker: 
Routos: 
Both players caught a pair on the flop, but Routos was well out in front. The turn brought paint, but it was the 
, and Baker would need a jack or a two to win the pot. The river brought paint again, but this time, it was the that Baker was looking for. Baker doubled up yet again, and is sitting on over 600,000.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
620,000 | 320,000 |
|
|
310,000 | -490,000 |
Baker Bleeding Chips
Action began with Patricia Baker, who completed from the small blind. James Routos checked his option.
The flop came 
and Baker led out for 100,000. Routos mulled over his decision and announced he was all in. Baker looked pained and eventually gave it up.
Baker is down to her last 300,000.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
800,000 | 140,000 |
|
|
300,000 | -210,000 |
Baker Binks the Double Up Against Saechao
Patricia Baker limped in from the button, and James Routos called in the small blind. Chiab Saechao was sitting in the big blind, and he made it 60,000 on top to go. Baker came along for the ride, but Routos folded.
The dealer showed a flop of , and Saechao thought for just a few moments before announcing all in. Baker snap called, and showed for flopped top pair. Saechao caught no part of the flop, showing just 
, and he would need some help. The turn came the , and Saechao was still looking for an ace. The hit the river, and Baker collected the double up.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
1,010,000 | -190,000 |
|
|
510,000 | 210,000 |